Need new headphone setup.


I have a speaker oriented system that is very satisfying to me. But because of a need to maintain domestic tranquility I’m looking to go to a less noisy alternative: i..e. headphones.
I want to spend a total of about $1000. So, nothing too fancy. Not the equivalent of my much more expensive speaker system.
What do I need to assemble a headphone system independent of my regular system which is accessible from my listening chair and side table?
I plan on solely streaming. My present system contains a WiFi streamer.
Can that be incorporated, or do I need a new streamer?
I understand that I need a headphone preamp along with the cans.
I know my budget is not too high, but can I get something relatively decent at it?

Currently, I listen though cheap ear buds and stream through an iPad.

128x128rvpiano

Showing 1 response by dinosore

How much portability do you want?  Your iPad is already a streamer, so I would just buy a dongle DAC, like the Dragonfly Cobalt.  If you buy a streamer, DAC and amp for headphones, you're likely limiting your listening to one location and eating up a chunk of your budget (since you're essentially building a second mini-system).

I have several headphones and DAC/amp combos and, frankly, my cheapest, Dragonfly Black and Grado SR80s, sounds pretty damn good.  The Black, the new SR80x and a USB/Lightning adapter would run you a bit under $300.   A Cobalt and Grado 325x would run around $650.  Lots of headphone choices out there - but keep the source simple.